Mitropolit Alexander Metropolitan of Brussels and Belgium Date of Birth: 30.08.1876

Content:

1. The Early Life of Metropolitan Alexander
2. Missionary Work in North America
3. Leading the North American Diocese
4. Archbishop of North America
5. Exile and Constantinople
6. Under Metropolitan Eulogius
7. Imprisonment and Liberation
8. Return to the Russian Orthodox Church
9. Metropolitan and Legacy

The Early Life of Metropolitan Alexander

Metropolitan Alexander (Nemolovsky), born into a priestly family, graduated from the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy in 1901, earning a degree in Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood that same year and sent to serve in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, USA.

Missionary Work in North America

For several years, Father Alexander served in the Aleutian and North American diocese, actively working to convert Greek Catholics to Orthodoxy. He also published a newspaper called "Svit" in Ukrainian. On November 6, 1909, he took monastic vows and was consecrated as Bishop of Alaska, a vicar of the North American diocese.

Leading the North American Diocese

In 1914-1915, Bishop Alexander temporarily headed the North American diocese. In 1916, he was transferred to the newly created Canadian diocese. When Archbishop Evdokim (Meshchersky) traveled to Moscow for the 1917-1918 Local Council, he entrusted Bishop Alexander with the administration of the diocese, which Bishop Alexander assumed on August 6, 1917.

Archbishop of North America

The Second All-American Council, held in Cleveland in 1919, elected Bishop Alexander as the new ruling archbishop of the North American diocese. Due to communication difficulties with Russia, this decision was not approved by Patriarch Tikhon until September 7, 1920, during which time Bishop Alexander was elevated to the rank of archbishop.

Exile and Constantinople

After the arrival of Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) in the USA, Bishop Alexander handed over the administration of the diocese to him and left for Europe in 1922. From 1922 to 1928, he lived in Istanbul and at the St. Andrew's Skete on Mount Athos.

Under Metropolitan Eulogius

In 1928, Archbishop Alexander joined the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Eulogius (Georgievsky) and became the rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brussels. On February 17, 1931, he and Metropolitan Eulogius were received into the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Patriarch Benjamin subsequently appointed Archbishop Alexander as Archbishop of Brussels and Belgium.

Imprisonment and Liberation

During World War II, Belgium was occupied by German forces. Archbishop Alexander, who had spoken out against the occupiers in May 1940, was arrested on November 4, 1940, after celebrating the Liturgy. He was taken in chains to Berlin. Thanks to the intercession of Metropolitan Seraphim (Lyadde) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in Berlin, Archbishop Alexander was released and lived in Berlin until the end of the war.

Return to the Russian Orthodox Church

In 1945, Archbishop Alexander (along with Metropolitan Eulogius) reunited with the Russian Orthodox Church and was appointed as the administrator of the Berlin and Belgian dioceses. In November 1948, he was appointed Archbishop of Brussels and Belgium.

Metropolitan and Legacy

On November 28, 1959, Archbishop Alexander was elevated to the rank of metropolitan. He passed away on April 11, 1960, in Brussels and was buried at the Ixelles Cemetery.

Religious figure

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